Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) in cooperation with its partners has inaugurated five new direct service lines between Hamad Port and a number of ports in the region and beyond in less than 20 days. The move is part of efforts to ensure continuous flow of supplies and meet the needs of local market in light of the recent measures taken against Qatar.

The launch of the new lines comes within the framework of the directives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications to ensure the vessel movement, shipping operation and maritime navigation are not affected by these measures. The first direct service between Hamad Port and Sohar Port in Oman was inaugurated on June 11. Hansa Neuburg, which is operating under Milaha's DMJ service, was the first ship to call at the port under this new service with 1,696 TEUs, including 133 cold storage reefers that contain food supplies. On June 23, another new line linking Hamad Port directly to Salalah Port in Oman was launched with the arrival of the container ship Paul Abrao to the port with a range of goods and building materials onboard.

On the same day, the Hansa Magdeburg arrived from India's Nhava Sheva port. The new shipping line connects Hamad Port with India's Mundra and Nhava Sheva ports. On June 28, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) launched its maiden voyage between Hamad and Salalah ports and MSC Kerry was the first vessel to call at the port under the new service with more than 660 containers onboard. The international shipping company, Maersk, started its first direct service between Hamad and Salalah ports on June 30. Jack London was the first ship to be welcomed under the new service.

Green Guatemala, the first vessel to dock at Hamad Port under the new service between Hamad and Turkish ports, has sailed from Izmir Port and called at Hamad Port on July 2, carrying more than 3,000 tonnes of foodstuffs. The launch of these new maritime lines emphasise the high reliability of the Qatari economy and its ability to adapt to regional and global changes and will contribute to providing fast and secure solutions to importers and exporters, Captain Abdul Aziz al-Yafei, Director of Hamad Port, said. "We are assured that these new lines will consolidate trade ties between State of Qatar and the world, as well as promoting trade exchange and support Qatar National Vision 2030," he added.

Mwani Qatar is committed to playing a vital role in stabilising domestic market by managing Qatar's ports and providing a stable platform for supply chain for Qatar's economy in cooperation with its partners and stakeholders, al-Yafei stressed. Hamad Port is Qatar's main gateway to world trade and is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. It can receive all types of ships and vessels of all sizes. It is also one of the most important portals which played a prominent role in breaking the blockade imposed by some neighbouring countries on Qatar recently.